Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2003-04: Anton Khudobin played with Metalurg Magnitogorsk for their Division 2 league team. Backstopped Russian national team to gold medal at U18 World Junior Championships. Drafted by the Wild in the seventh round, 206th overall.

2004-05: Played well in the Canada-Russia Challenge. Had a short stint as Metalurg Magnitogorsk backup for their Russian Super League squad, but played most of the season with their Division 2 team. He was also the starting goalie for Russia's silver-medal team at the U20 World Junior Championships.

2005-06: Drafted by Saskatoon Blades (WHL) and played first season in North America. After an erratic start, Khudobin put together a strong season, compiling a 23-13-3 record with a 2.90 GAA and 0.917 save percentage, which was fourth-best in the WHL. Saved 80 of 84 shots in a 3OT playoff loss to Medicine Hat. Named Blades team MVP. Goalie for Russia's silver-medal team at the U20 World Junior Championships.

2006-07: Played in 16 games as backup for 2007 Russian Super League champion Metalurg Magnitogorsk with a 2.72 GAA.

2007-08: Signed to a three-year entry-level contract by the Wild. Played most of the season with the Texas Wildcatters (ECHL) and was stellar. Posted a 20-1-4 record, 1.98 GAA and 0.934 save percentage on his way to being named the league's Goaltender of the Year. Called up to Houston (AHL) and played well, going 2-2-1 with a 1.99 GAA and 0.911 save percentage.

2008-09: Khudobin, after spending the first two-thirds of his second pro season in North America with the ECHL Florida Everblades, finished the season with the AHL Houston Aeros. After joining the Aeros in March, Khudobin appeared in 10 games and was 3-6 with one shootout loss, with a 3.04 GAA and .892 save percentage. Khudobin handled the bulk of the goaltending for the Aeros in the playoffs as Houston advanced to the conference semifinals – going 8-8 with two shutouts and he had a 2.70 GAA and .900 save percentage. In 33 games with the Everblades prior to being promoted, Khudobin was 18-11 with four shutouts and had a 2.71 GAA and .907 save percentage.

2009-10: Khudobin made his NHL debut appearing in two games with the Minnesota Wild during a brief February call-up. The rest of the season was spent back in Houston where he split the goaltending duties with veteran Wade Dubielewicz for an offensively-challenged Aeros team that finished last in the AHL's West Division. Khudobin stopped all nine shots in a nine minute relief appearance in his first NHL appearance and then stopped 38 of 39 Flyers' shots in a 2-1 win over the Flyers in his only NHL start. In 40 games with Houston, Khudobin was 16-23 despite a 2.43 GAA and .907 save percentage and had four shutouts. Khudobin was signed to a one-year contract by the Wild in July 2010.

2010-11: Khudobin appeared in four NHL games during a mid-season call-up by the Wild and was acquired by the Boston Bruins organization in a three-player, trade deadline deal at the end of February. In three starts for the Wild Khudobin was 2-1 including his first NHL shutout (a 4-0, 32-save win over the Western Conference champion Canucks). In four games with the Wild, he stopped 81 of 86 shots faced for a 1.59 GAA and .942 save percentage. In 50 AHL games split between Houston and Providence, Khudobin was 28-18 with two shutouts and a 2.52 GAA and .914 save percentage. Khudobin signed a two-year deal with the Bruins in July 2011.

2011-12: Khodbin stopped 44 of 45 shots in his only NHL game of the season – a 3-1 Bruins win over Ottawa on April 5th. He handled the bulk of the goaltending for the Bruins' AHL affiliate Providence, finishing 21-19-3 with 2 shutouts in 44 games. Khudobin had a 2.61 goals against and .919 save percentage for Providence, which missed the AHL playoffs after finishing fourth in the Atlantic Division.

Talent Analysis

Khudobin is small at 5'10, but an intense competitor with a lot of confidence and athleticism who can play both solid technically as well as break free from his technique to make the spectacular save. He has a better glove than stick, and very quick feet. He has excellent recovery ability. Reads and anticipates the play well. Has the ability to steal games and even has a few stolen NHL games on his resume.